Thursday, May 31, 2018
Dental practitioners in solo and small group practices don't widely use periodontal disease risk assessment tools even though they say they're open to using them, according to a new study. Researchers delved into the reasons why and provided recommendations for overcoming barriers to their use.
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
9 things to check before you sign that employment agreement
When it’s time to sign the employment agreement for your first job out of dental school will you be ready? ADA Senior Associate General Counsel Jeffrey Fraum speaks to UIC dental students about considerations when you negotiate your first employment contract. You can hear more from Jeff on Success.ADA.org.
~ADA Center for Professional Success
This content is sponsored and does not necessarily reflect the views of ASDA.
Ensuring dentist and patient health
“Health is wealth” is not just an expression, but a truth of life. Someone in good health can accumulate wealth, but illness can bring down even the wealthiest of empires. Every dentist longs to provide the best possible treatment to all their patients. However, in doing so, they may neglect their own health.
According to an article in the 2004 Postgraduate Medical Journal, one-fifth of young doctors engaged in patient care display prominent mental health problems. If we are to ensure that patient care isn’t compromised, we must ensure our own health. A study conducted in 2013 at M.R. Medical College in India concluded that 46 percent of female doctors suffer from hypertension, and 38 percent suffer from emotional stress accompanied by disturbed sleep and persistent indigestion.
According to a 2014 study published in the International Journal of Pediatric Dentistry, cardiovascular disease is the reason 21 percent of dentists retire early. Cardiovascular diseases are second only to musculoskeletal disorders, which account for 29 percent of dentists retiring early.
A doctor who is ill cannot provide proper care and attention to a patient. Here are a few tips to help keep your health in check:
- Attend routine physicals/check-ups to ensure that you are addressing any concerns with your personal health. Be honest with your physician about any pains or irregularities you might be experiencing.
- Exercising every day is a great way to stay active, and keep your general health and immune system in good condition. A study published in the October 2003 issue of JADA says that most dental practitioners are at risk of developing a musculoskeletal disorder due to prolonged working postures, repetitive movements, awkward postures and lack of muscle flexibility and strength. Aerobics, stretching and certain strength exercises can help prevent these disorders.
- If already diagnosed with a condition, remember to take medication in a timely manner and follow up with your physician.
- Invest in a physical tracker to ensure that you are walking around sufficiently throughout the day in between treating patients.
- Be open with your staff if you have a medical condition that can lead to any kind of disruption of patient care. Explaining the condition to various team members will make sure they are aware of how to manage any complications if you are in trouble. If possible, keep a memo handy for the staff to refer to in case they need to help you.
Through dentistry, we take care of our patients’ well-being, starting with their mouths. In order to leave them with a positive experience and treat them as best as we can, we must be certain that our own health is a priority as well.
~Arjun Chadha, PDM Dental College and Research Institute (India) ’18, Predental Member
The term biohacking has come into vogue, whether referring to foods and drinks, supplements, technology, or the numerous genetic tests on the market. Periodontist Dr. Alvin Danenberg keeps an open mind about possible advances but wonders if some less complicated solutions might exist.
Collaboration may be the key to improving the oral health of young children. Dental professionals from rural Oklahoma discussed how they partnered with outside organizations to dramatically reduce the rate of early childhood caries (ECC) in a Healthy People 2020 webinar on May 24.Tuesday, May 29, 2018
Is cone-beam CT (CBCT) ready to be used in implant dentistry? In a new review, researchers examined published studies on CBCT and provided up-to-date recommendations for its use.
Elective procedures offer your practice the opportunity to increase your production and decrease your reliance on compensation from insurance providers. Set a target of making cosmetic and other elective services account for at least 30% of total production, advises Dr. Roger P. Levin in his latest Practice Success tip.Monday, May 28, 2018
What you should know about the ADAT in 2018
The ADA launched the Advanced Dental Admission Test (ADAT) in April 2016 targeting third- and fourth-year dental students as well as practicing dentists who are interested in postgraduate training. The exam provides advanced dental education programs with a means to assess applicants’ potential for success in a postgraduate program. With the third year of the ADAT test cycle approaching, let’s take a look at the 2017 ADAT results and some changes that are taking place for 2018.
Here are some takeaways from the ADAT results in 2017, in comparison to 2016:
- There were 483 participants.
- There was an increase in reliability in all sections, with the ADAT overall score reaching a reliability coefficient of .91.
- There was an increase in the mean and decrease in the standard deviation of scores in all sections.
- There was a shift in the frequency distribution of ADAT overall scores to the right, with more participants scoring above 500 (in a range of 200-800).
What’s changed about the ADAT for 2018?
- Official ADAT results will post within three to four weeks of your test date.
- Official ADAT score reports are no longer queued until September before being sent to ADEA PASS and advanced dental education programs. As of 2018, official ADAT results will be released to ADEA PASS within three to four weeks of your test date. Once the ADAT results are posted to the ADEA PASS application, they will be sent electronically to the advanced dental education programs selected on your ADAT application or in additional score report requests.
- Greater span for the ADAT testing period
- ADAT testing days are now open from March 1 to Aug. 31, 2018.
- Increase in the number of programs participating in the ADAT
- Most notably, over 30 percent of orthodontic, 45 percent of prosthodontic and 50 percent of pediatric programs are formally requiring or accepting the ADAT.
- Any programs that are not listed should be contacted directly to see whether they will be incorporating the ADAT in their application process.
The following outlines some frequently asked questions related to the exam.
Will my ADAT results automatically import to my ADEA PASS application?
Your ADAT scores will only be imported into your ADEA PASS application if you indicated that you wanted your scores sent to an advanced dental education program (either on your application or at a later time), and you have entered your DENTPIN® and date of birth correctly in your ADEA PASS application. ADEA PASS will import the results into your application within one week of receipt if both of these conditions are met.
What if I’m not happy with my score? Can I take the ADAT and decide not to include it in my application?
As of 2018, yes. As long as you do not select any advanced dental education programs when applying for the ADAT, your scores will not be included in your application. In order for programs to receive your score, you must select at least one advanced dental education program as a results recipient to have your scores sent to ADEA PASS. If you are satisfied with your score after you take the ADAT but did not initially select any programs, you can always make a request to have the score sent to the graduate programs of your choice after your exam attempt.
What’s the best way to prepare for the ADAT?
Test takers reported the most success when giving themselves about two to three months to study for the exam. The general approach is to use the first half of that time focusing on reviewing and relearning material, and the latter half working on practice questions to drill in the content. The ADA provides a reference list of textbooks to use, but these would take an unrealistic amount of time to go through. Instead, test takers recommend using NBDE review books such as First Aid, Dental Board Busters and Mosby’s to help build and patch your foundation on the biomedical and clinical science didactics. For the data and research section, the First Aid USMLE Step 1 has a section on biostatistics review that greatly overlaps with the concepts tested by the ADAT.
During the latter half, using the ADAT practice tests on ADATKnockout.com is recommended in order to illuminate the high yield topics and reinforce the key details. The questions were developed by dental graduates who took the ADAT and designed the program to reflect the question style and clinical relevance that’s seen on the test. Using these resources in conjunction with each other is an incredibly effective way to make the content stick and perform well on the ADAT exam.
~Daniel Shimunov, Columbia ’19
Friday, May 25, 2018
One of the most memorable concepts introduced in the "Star Wars" movies is that of a force that connects everyone. Now, practice management consultant Jen Butler isn't writing using this force, or something like it, to fool stormtroopers but rather to bring together your front- and back-office staff to improve communications, production, and collections.
You tell your patients to brush and floss and also praise the merits of fluoride, so why are they still coming back with cavitated lesions? Dr. Brian Novy, discussed three strategies to restore balance to the mouth at the recent California Dental Association's CDA Presents 2018 meeting.Thursday, May 24, 2018
Seeking to address the lack of available oral healthcare for tens of millions of people in the U.S., the American Association of Physician Assistants (AAPA) launched an initiative in 2010 to improve physician assistants' awareness of oral health issues. Researchers reported on the progress being made at this week's AAPA annual meeting.Wednesday, May 23, 2018
‘Your Essential Guide to Dental School Admissions’: Book Review
No matter where you are in the process of applying to dental schools, “Your Essential Guide to Dental School Admissions” by Dr. Helen Yang is a must-read. Applying to dental school may be overwhelming, but this resource “for pre-dents, by dentists” provides firsthand knowledge from new dentists about this formidable yet exciting process that marks the beginning of your dental career. These contributing authors, many of whom have served on the admissions committees at their dental schools, have a breadth of experience and strategies about ensuring strong candidacy and building a well-respected application for the dental school you wish to attend.
In the first part of the guide, Dr. Yang and her colleagues highlight what admissions officers look for in applicants. They demystify the ADEA AADSAS portal criteria for extracurriculars and offer ways to help you engage in your activities. They provide a list of considerations to help you secure unique recommendation letters, and even devote two chapters to writing the personal statement and navigating your interviews. Many people believe that they need to be able to answer every interview question, but as you will learn, there are alternative ways to approaching questions that you may not have expected. Interview etiquette and frequently asked interview questions are also included in the book.
Dr. Yang understands the challenge of crafting a compelling personal statement that captures your “experiences, hopes and dreams in just 4,500 characters.” While existing predental guides such as “Getting into Dental School: ASDA’s Guide for Predental Students” or the “ADEA Official Guide to Dental Schools” lay out detailed statistics on each dental school, “Your Essential Guide” is a resource for writing your best personal statement, including real, well-crafted examples for students to gain inspiration from.
In fact, the second part of the book features a collection of 30 personal statement essays in original form from real applicants who are now dentists or dentists-to-be. These authors were accepted into dental schools such as University of Connecticut, Harvard University, University of Michigan, Columbia University, University of Colorado, University of Pennsylvania and Tufts University. Each essay is followed by the author’s bio and commentary that analyzes the strengths you might have overlooked. You can learn a lot about how to improve your own writing from reading these notes, which point out positive aspects and areas for improvement for each essay that you can apply to your own.
As a predental student, you might be unsure of where to find inspiration for your personal statement or what experiences to draw upon or how to describe an experience. After all, the essay themes, “Who are you?” and “Why dentistry?” are extremely open-ended. After reading these essays, you will understand what it means to write a personal narrative. Some writers connected their passion for dentistry to childhood experiences. Others elaborated upon college extracurriculars or mentors who introduced them to dentistry.
You might be worried that an experience may sound too “ordinary.” While many of these personal statements had similar topics, such as research or volunteering, the individual experience and personal insight made each one stand out. You will also enjoy seeing a variety of writing styles and formats as well as some things to avoid. Some essays are written like a story, while others have a more clear-cut organized format. It is advantageous to see them conveyed in so many different ways.
If you are looking to apply this cycle or next cycle, then this book is for you. You will not regret perusing this collection of personal statements or learning how you can map the rest of your road to dental school.
~Hilary Wong, Northeastern University, and Elika Ebrahimi, Wesleyan University
Dental association warns seniors to care for their teeth
Brenda Ojeda, right, and Dr. Karen Becerra discuss crown placement for patient Alex Maddalena, at the Gary and Mary West Senior Dental Center in San Diego, March 23, 2017. Dental problems are epidemic among older people, especially when they leave the work force and lose employer dental insurance, if they even had it.
Dentist to host Free Dentistry Day
Staff members at Dental Care at Columbus Crossing will offer free dental services to those without dental insurance on June 16. "Dental health is a vital part of a person's overall health," Vachhani said. "Through this event, we hope to educate patients on the importance of dental health and encourage them to adopt an ongoing oral care regimen."
One concern when using CAD/CAM milled restorations for mandibular first molars is the potential loss of volume during preparation compared with conventionally fabricated restorations. But does this concern stand up to scrutiny? A new study put five types of restorations through their paces to find out.
Can you identify the "never events" in dentistry -- patient care incidents that safety experts agree should never happen? The concept of these never events is familiar in medicine, but its use in dentistry is more limited. An international team of researchers developed a list of dental never events that goes beyond wrong-tooth extraction.Merit Medical Systems price target raised to $59 from $51 at Raymond James
Growth at a reasonable price or the GARP strategy helps investors gain exposure to stocks that have impressive prospects and are trading at a discount. While higher consolidated revenues might benefit SBA Communications in Q1 earnings, its financials are likely to be affected by high customer concentration consolidation in wireless industry.
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Disability and life insurance at no cost? It’s true.
To be completely honest, would any of us ever think about disability and life insurance if no one told us how important it is? I personally never thought about it until I heard a presentation at one of the ASDA conferences, and it really got me thinking!
Learning about insurance is actually pretty interesting, especially disability and life insurance. While it’s something I hope none of us have to utilize, I’ve learned that disability and life insurance is one of the greatest assets we could have. The way I see it: Getting this insurance is not only something I can do for myself but also for my family.
One of the most valuable benefits of your ADA student membership ($5 of the dues we pay to ASDA goes toward our ADA membership) is the no-cost ADA disability and life insurance, underwritten by Great-West Financial®. The coverage includes $50,000 of life insurance, and $2,000 per month of disability insurance as well as up to $150,000 to repay student loans if you’re disabled. You will be covered throughout dental school, as well as residency. To some it might sound too good to be true, but you read it right! It truly is no cost and no strings attached! It’s like the other freebies that you will only get when you are a student, such as a free electric toothbrush, only much more valuable!
Here’s how EASY it is to sign up:
1. First, register your account here and request activation.
(You need your ADA number — it’s the same as your ASDA membership number, or you can call the ADA at 800.621.8099 to obtain it.)
2. Upon verification of your ADA student membership and eligibility, you will be enrolled in the insurance and will receive your Certificates of Insurance in the mail.
3. Done! The coverage will automatically renew each year, as long as you remain an ADA member, including residency.
Spring Reward
Great-West Financial sometimes offers incentives to register or update your account. Right now there’s a $5 Coffee Card offer* which is valid through May 31 2018 – so why not take two minutes to update your information and get a treat for doing so – just visit insurance.ada.org/spring
Chapter leaders: Would you like to earn $500? If your chapter has 80% or more enrollment with Great-West Financial, you’ll receive a $500 reward for your chapter — and you have until May 31, 2018, to do so. You can find more valuable information and resources, including Facebook and Instagram posts that you can use on your chapter pages, at insurancetoolkit.com.
~Kai Huang, UAB School of Dentistry, Class of 2020, District 5 Trustee, American Student Dental Association Vice President Elect, UAB ASDA Chapter
This content is sponsored and does not necessarily reflect the views of ASDA.
*Note: Only one Gourmet Coffee Card per student.
Visit www.insurance.ada.org, call 855.411.5198 or email planspecialist@greatwest.com for more information and to learn about coverage provisions, limitations, terms for keeping coverage in force and the option to convert to member coverage after graduation by paying ADA member-only premiums and maintaining ADA membership.
Student coverage is issued regardless of your condition if you are under 45. If you are 45 or older, you can apply for the no-cost coverage and all student program features by providing proof of good health. Coverage renews automatically each academic year. Individuals may convert coverage to the plans for practicing dentists after graduation by paying ADA member premiums and maintaining ADA membership.
This material is not a contract. Benefits are provided through a group policy (Nos. 1108GDH-SDP Student Disability and 104TLP Annually Renewable Term Life) filed in the State of Illinois in accordance with and governed by Illinois law, issued to the American Dental Association, and underwritten by Great-West Financial®. Coverage that is guaranteed issue is subject to a pre-existing condition limitation. Coverage is available to eligible ADA members and student members in all fifty states and US territories under the aforementioned group policy. GWL&A is not licensed in New York, but eligible members residing in New York may request and ultimately receive coverage under the aforementioned group policy. ©2018 Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company. All Rights Reserved. AM483726-0518
ADA® is a registered trademark of the American Dental Association and Great-West Financial® is a registered trademark of GWL&A.
Siu SDM students awarded for research excellence
The Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine prides itself on providing a high-quality, service-focused education that is built on a foundation of research and clinical experiences that form the basis for professional practice. Two SIU SDM students have gained national attention for their research excellence.
Yet another bite-mark conviction is unraveling
In 1991, a Pennsylvania man named John Kunco was convicted of raping and beating a 55-year-old woman the previous December. The state's case against Kunco was based almost entirely on the testimony of two bite-mark analysts.
20 Qatari Dentists From HMC and PHCC Prepare for International Examination
Hamad Medical Corporation , in cooperation with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland , recently organized an intensive training program to help prepare HMC and Primary Health Care Corporation dentists to take the Membership of the College's Faculty of Dentistry entrance examination. Twenty Qatari dentists from HMC and PHCC participated in the preparatory training program, which was held from 6 to 10 May at HMC's Medical Education Center.
Monday, May 21, 2018
Austin Rudolph and family
Lt. Lee Atkinson , a native of Yuma, assigned to Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy for Pacific Partnership 2018 , and Dr. Ehiya Mohamed Rizwan, a Sri Lankan dentist, discuss a patient's dental care plan aboard the Mercy at Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. PP18's mission is to work with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase stability and security in the region and foster new and enduring friendships across the Indo-Pacific Region.
Celebrating diversity
Photo submitted by Michael Chew, South Carolina ’21
In 2002, the United Nations General Assembly declared May 21 World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. In honor of this day, ASDA’s Council on Professional Issues asked dental students to discuss the importance of diversity and how their chapter celebrates members’ unique differences.
Emilio Tapia, Pacific ’20
Why is diversity important to you?
Diversity is important to me because of the difference it can make in any organization. The world is a diverse place and having an organization that imitates this is important. Diversity allows individuals to foster creativity and innovation and gives us the right tools to solve the problems of tomorrow. Having peers around you who come from a diverse background allow you to look at things with a different perspective. As future health care providers, it is crucial for us to appreciate and celebrate diversity, as we will be working with colleagues from different backgrounds and treating patients from different walks of life.
How does your chapter celebrate diversity?
At Pacific, diversity and inclusion have been integrated into the dental school experience. We are lucky to have a diverse student body, as well as faculty and staff, and this is celebrated throughout the year. One of the best examples of this is our annual Bridge Builders event. During this event, students and faculty are invited to showcase their culture through food and performances of their countries. This event took place a few weeks ago, and I was amazed at how many people from all different parts of the world are part of the Dugoni dental school, which makes our institution such an incredible place.
Regina DelaCruz, Western ’20
Why is diversity important to you?
There is a richness in life when we embody diversity and are surrounded by different cultures. To me, diversity means embracing the communities we live in, while sharing the unique pieces of our identity with others. As a Filipina-American, I love being able to share the language, cultural dances and traditions of the Philippines. The diverse communities across the United States allow me to learn and value the traditions of other countries. This unparalleled diversity empowers us to deepen our awareness of others and to enhance the care that we provide.
How does your chapter celebrate diversity?
WesternU ASDA celebrates and embodies diversity through the stories of our members and commitment to outreach. Together, we have collaborated with other WesternU health disciplines such as the colleges of osteopathic medicine, podiatry and nursing to provide care to the underserved. Teaming up with the Hispanic Student Dental Association, we participate in health fairs, providing oral screenings and dental outreach to serve the Hispanic community of Southern California. The members of our WesternU family and our involvement with other communities have given me a deeper appreciation of the value of cultural diversity.
Photo submitted by Tashana Detwiler, East Carolina ’21
Why is diversity important to you?
We are fortunate to have a multitude of opportunities to learn from and teach one another. In every moment, we must celebrate and embrace the individuality of others and allow it to empower us as we embark on our own destinies. Diversity is so important to me because it is imperative in my becoming an excellent dentist, a true friend and a good person.
How does your chapter celebrate diversity?
Privyet! Thanks to a fellow classmate, I have learned how to say hello in Russian. However, that is only a small glimpse of what my chapter has to offer. I have learned the Pakistani way of putting respect on someone’s name, the logistics behind names in Egyptian culture, eaten more traditional foods of Asia than ever before and appreciated the sweet sounds of Nigerian music. We celebrate by constantly sharing and connecting with each other, and I am beyond grateful.
Sharing Smiles Day provides free dental care to children
The children's dental provider, Kool Smiles, provided dozens of children with free dental care Sunday as part of Sharing Smiles Day. They said they know how tough it can be, especially for those who can't afford a routine trip to the dentist.
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